UNICEF delivers water treatment supplies for 10 million people in Syria

A large-scale operation is under way in Syria to secure safe water supplies for more than 10 million people – close to half the population, UNICEF said Monday.

The first four trucks carrying 80 tons of sodium hypochlorite water chlorination supplies crossed the Jordanian border into Syria on Sunday, heading for Homs, Aleppo, Hama and Idleb. Over the coming weeks, UNICEF will deliver 1,000 tons of chlorine to cities and communities across all 14 governorates in Syria.

UNICEF Representative in Syria Youssouf Abdel-Jelil says "This shipment is very timely as supplies of chlorine in Syria have fallen dangerously low, making access to safe water challenging for many families"," adding that "This puts the population – and children especially – at high risk of contracting diarrhea and other water-borne diseases".

The operation comes amid rising concern over the impact of the 23-month conflict on water pumping stations and other vital infrastructure – and the implications for children's health in particular. Reports say that the quality and quantity of water supplies continues to deteriorate in different parts of the country and in some areas very severely.

As part of its humanitarian response in Syria in the areas of water, hygiene and sanitation, UNICEF is supporting the operation and maintenance of water systems, through providing equipment and chlorination supplies.